Celebrating Canada's 150th with 150 London facts

January 03, 2017

In 2017, Canada is celebrating its 150th anniversary of confederation. During this historic year, Canadians from coast-to-coast will join friends, neighbours, and families to honour our country. In London, Ontario, 2017 will be a busy year of events, commemorations, celebrations, dedications and experiences. Canada 150 London is an exciting initiative to help Londoners celebrate Canada, and its organized by the City of London Culture Office, London Celebrates Canada and the London Heritage Council. Stay tuned for more information regarding educational programs, activities, events, exhibitions and Canada Day celebrations throughout the year at: http://www.londoncelebrates.ca/.

Considering Canada
On global missions and outreach, the London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) markets London to the world, but it starts with promoting Canada first. The LEDC is proud to be a part of the Consider Canada City Alliance (CCCA), where we work together with 11 other economic development agencies from some of Canada’s largest cities to promote Canada as the ideal destination for global trade and investment. As a united front, Canada’s large cities - Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, London, Waterloo Region, Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Québec City and Halifax - help international companies determine the best strategies for business expansion and improve Canada’s ability to attract new investment and trade opportunities. To learn more about the CCCA please visit http://considercanada.com/.

Did You Know?
Over the past century and a half, London has grown alongside our nation and 2017 is going to be an important milestone to recognize. To celebrate our country's 150th birthday and our city, the LEDC has pulled together 150 facts and stats you may not have known about the Forest City.

If you have any interesting London facts you’d like to share with us, please fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page. Thanks for reading - and don’t forget to join the Canada150 conversation online using #Canada150.

150 London, Ontario Facts

Why London
1. The London Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) has a population size of approximately 500,000 residents
2. London, Ontario is currently the 11th largest city in Canada
3. London is situated midway between Detroit and Toronto
4. The employment rate in London, Ontario is 59.7% (2015)
5. The unemployment rate is 6.5% (2015)
6. The participation rate is 63.8% (2015)
7. The total labour force in London is 269,400 (2015)
8. 197,400 people in London have full-time employment
9. 54,600 people in London have part-time employment
10. 53,800 people work in the goods producing sector in London
11. Over 198,100 people work in the services producing sector
12. There was over $711 million in construction value in 2015
13. London offers 200+ acres of shovel-ready, fully serviced lands in a variety of sizes at $75,000/acre
14. The Entrepreneurship Support Network (ESN) in London provides leadership to create an environment and community that fosters entrepreneurs and supports their success

Working
15. The 400-series highway carries $1.5 billion in trade every day and provides London with access to more than 150 million consumers within a one-day drive
16. London is home to Canadian headquarters for industry sector leaders, including 3M Canada, McCormick Canada, Trojan Technologies, Starlim North America, London Life, Libro Credit Union, Voices.com, Diply, STIHL and more.
17. The London International Airport offers a 24-hour cargo facility
18. The London International Airport produces an economic impact of more than $357 million every year
19. 14 trains travel through London per day offering regular connections to Toronto, Sarnia and Windsor
20. There are more than 1,200 arts and culture businesses in London and over 7,700 employed
21. London is a compassionate community with over 1,800 nonprofits and charities
22. 45.3% of Londoners volunteer, contributing more than $600 million in value every year

Playing
23. Budweiser Gardens was ranked #7 worldwide and the top venue in North America for tickets sales among venues of similar size in 2013 by Venues Today magazine
24. Budweiser Gardens has attracted big-ticket acts including Pearl Jam, Tom Petty, Gordon Lightfoot, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban
25. Budweiser Gardens is a 9,000 person arena holding over 60 sporting games annually
26. The London Knights hockey team were named the 2016 Memorial Cup Champions
27. More than 15 festivals and events take place in London every summer, adding to the approximately $540 million the arts and culture industry brings to the regional economy
28. Sunfest is the second largest outdoor festival in Canada, attracting over 200,000 visitors to Victoria Park
29. London’s art scene is home to the MacIntosh Gallery, the oldest university art gallery in Ontario
30. The Royal Canadian Regiment Museum is one of Canada’s oldest museums
31. The Forest City Velodrome is the only indoor cycling facility in Ontario and one of only three built in North America
32. Labatt Park opened in 1877 and is the world’s oldest operating baseball ground still in its original location
33. Boler Mountain is only 20 minutes from downtown London and offers 120 acres for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and hiking spring through to fall
34. London has more than 40 spacious parks that contribute to more than 100 kilometers of walking and hiking trails throughout the city

Learning
35. Known globally for its case method of learning, Ivey was ranked among the top 100 business schools by Financial Times in January 2014
36. Fanshawe College is home to more than 17,000 full-time students with thousands more enrolled in part-time, continuing education and apprenticeship programs.
37. Fanshawe attracts students from approximately 50 countries every year.
38. About 88% of Fanshawe graduates report finding employment soon after graduation
39. Brescia University College is the only women's university in Canada
40. 64% of Ontario’s workers have a post-secondary education - the highest percentage in the G7
41. In 2014, Collège Boréal opened a new Orientation and Entrepreneurship Centre to assist French-speaking immigrants to help them find their footing in the community
42. London has more than 20 registered private vocational schools that fuel the development of the city’s future workforce
43. The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is one of Ontario’s largest public school boards, educating more than 74,000 students at 134 elementary schools and 27 secondary schools

Living
44. Historic Woodfield, located in the heart of London, was declared best neighbourhood in Canada in a competition sponsored by the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) in 2016
45. Old East Village took home People’s Choice award in 2014 by the CIP
46. Child care costs in London are remarkably lower when compared to other cities
47. The average price of a home in the London region is $286,994
48. The median price of a two-storey home is $355,302 in London
49. The median price of a bungalow in London is $236,497
50. London has a 15 minute average commute time to anywhere in the city
51. London has received a Moody’s AAA credit rating for 40 years in a row
52. There are 40 golf courses within the London region - more per captia

Food Processing
53. Many global food and beverage companies such as Cargill, Nestle, Dr. Oetker and Natra have established food and beverage manufacturing facilities in London
54. Farm production in Southwestern Ontario generates $6 billion annually
55. 60 food and beverage processing companies in London have a combined total of over 1 million square feet of temperature controlled distribution
56. Over 6,000 people are employed in the food and beverage processing sector in London
57. Western’s Science Internship Program has over 15 interns currently working in food and beverage manufacturing
58. Brescia University College offers a Food and Nutrition program for those interested in working in this industry
59. Fanshawe College offers a broad range of food and beverage-related programs such as Food and Nutrition Management, and Technician in Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
60. The Original Cakerie in London employs more than 1,300 cows and 56,000 chickens every year
61. The Original Cakerie invested $50 million into their 125,000 square foot facility
62. As one of Canada’s oldest and most successful companies, Labatt started in London as a small craft brewery founded by John Kinder Labatt in 1847
63. London is home to successful and growing food and beverage startups like The London Brewing Co-operative, Forked River Brewing Company, Toboggan Brewing Company, Black Fly Beverage Company, Pulp and Press Juice and Fire Roasted Coffee
64. Started just 10 years ago, Black Fly Beverage Company has experienced over 50% growth over the past two years
65. Black Fly is Ontario’s first micro distillery
66. One of the London Brewing Co-op’s most popular beers, The Local 117, uses ingredients that are no further than 117 kilometres from London
67. With 95% of its coffees Fair Trade certified, Organic Certified and shade grown, Fire Roasted roasts over 50 types of coffee
68. Each raw Pulp & Press juice contains 3-4 pounds of fresh, organic produce in every bottle
69. In less than three years since start-up, Forked River Brewing Company expects to triple its production and release upward of 250,000 litres of beer annually
70. Over the past 170 years, Labatt has evolved into an internationally renowned company with a network of six breweries, 15 sales offices and 23 warehouses and distribution centres
71. Every Chicken McNugget in McDonald’s restaurants across the country is made in London, Ontario

Life Sciences
72. London’s life sciences sector employs more than 21,000 in private sector industry, hospitals and research facilities including more than 2,000+ researchers
73. Over $720 million is generated every year by indirect benefits of London’s life sciences sector
74. There are 780 principal researchers in London, Ontario
75. Over $165 million is attracted for medical research and development annually
76. There is more than 6 million in commercialization activity annually in London’s life sciences sector
77. There are over 19 research institutes in London
78. 20+ medical firsts have been pioneered in London
79. In 1920, Dr. Frederick Banting put to paper his 25-word hypothesis that lead to the discovery of insulin
80. In 1948, Dr. Murray Barr of London discovers the sec chromatin, launching genetic research
81. A world first in 1987, the Pacemaker cardioverter defibrillator (PCD) was implanted at University Hospital
82. In 1988, the first liver/small bowel transplant took place at University Hospital
83. A world first in 1996, a miniature recording device that monitors the heartbeat during fainting spells was developed in London
84. In 1997 the first transplantation of the liver, bowel, stomach and pancreas into a five-month-old infant took place at the LHSC, the youngest recipient of a multi-organ transplant
85. A Canadian first in 2000, a transplant team in London performs the first adult-to-adult living donor partial-liver transplant at LHSC
86. In 2007, a totally endoscopic closed-chest robotic coronary artery bypass surgery on a beating heart takes place in London
87. A world first in 2012, research led by Western University’s Dr. Chil-Yong Kang (supported by Sumagen Canada) results in the first and only preventative HIV vaccine based on genetically modified killed whole virus proceeding to human clinical trials
88. In 2012, research led by Dr. Adrian Owen of Western University’s Brain and Mind Institute makes history by discovering a way to communicate with patients in a vegetative state through brain imaging
89. Niche clusters in London’s life sciences sector include medical imaging, health informatics, orthopedic, brain and mind, cardiology, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and medical devices
90. The Canadian Surgical Technologies and Advanced Robotics Centre (CSTAR) is one of only eight training centres in the world for the da Vinci Surgical Systems, which trains and certifies surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures
91. London’s Stiller Centre for Technology Commercialization offers a 50,000 square foot facility to provide support and services for early stage companies
92. Western offers programs ranging from Bioengineering, Biology and Biochemistry to Nursing. The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry extends postgraduate training and opportunities in life sciences
93. Fanshawe offers programs ranging from Anaesthesia Assistant and Science Laboratory Technician to an applied Degree in Biotechnology
94. The London Health Sciences Centre employs over 10,000 people - the largest employer in London
95. In the 1970’s, Jones Packaging, located in London, introduced the first child safety vial to the Canadian pharmacy market

Manufacturing
96. With more than 30,000 people, advanced manufacturing continues to be a significant employer in London’s economy
97. Leading companies such as 3M, Brose Canada, and General Dynamics Land Systems - Canada have significant manufacturing facilities in London
98. London’s manufacturing sector generates $5 billion GDP per year
99. Approximately $24 million in taxes for the industrial class is generated every year
100. There are over 500 manufacturing companies in London
101. Over 10,000 employees work in automotive manufacturing
102. 8,000 employees in London work in defence and aerospace manufacturing
103. London’s location along the NAFTA superhighway provides quick access to a wide range of supply chains
104. London is located close to three U.S. border crossings within a two-hour drive
105. Western University’s Mechanical Engineering program provides students with the opportunity to specialize in manufacturing
106. World-class facilities such as the WindEEE Dome and Fraunhofer Project Centre assist manufacturers in developing new products and technologies
107. Fanshawe College’s Manufacturing Engineering Technology program prepares students for many practical aspects of manufacturing
108. Opened in 2016, the 20,000 square foot Canadian Centre for Product Validation (CCPV) is a one-of-a-kind facility in Canada offering comprehensive prototyping and multi-modal testing
109. Automotive manufacturers in London have access to 14 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) facilities within a two-hour drive
110. Manufacturers in London have access to the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment’s Southwestern Ontario Development Fund (SWODF), designed to help businesses invest in new technologies to enhance productivity
111. Brose has a workforce of 750 employees and investments totaling $170 million
112. Brose Canada, the first and only Brose plant in Canada, has stamped more than 180 million seat frames and 22.5 million seat adjusters since opening its doors in 2005
113. Almost 25% of Brose Canada’s suppliers are in Ontario, with 10% coming from the London region
114. Korean company Hanwha L&C Canada opened its first Canadian plant in London six years ago and is a global Fortune 500 company. The company is the fifth largest conglomerate in Korea

Digital Creative
115. There are more than 300 companies in London’s digital creative sector
116. More than 9,000 people work in London’s digital creative sector representing 3% of the labour force
117. Over 1,000 jobs were added to London’s digital creative sector in 2015
118. Over 2,400 people in London work in content development
119. London is home to Cineplex Digital Solutions, Cisco, Digital Extremes, Autodata and more world-renowned leaders
120. Every year London’s digital creative sector attracts approximately 100 million in federal direct investments
121. Success story: EK3 spun out of Western University and was recently acquired by Cineplex, rebranded as Cineplex Digital Networks
122. London has diverse technology companies focused on interactive game development, manufacturing plant floor software, financial services, asset management, content management middleware and creative content
123. London offers desirable infrastructure for technology companies such as affordable downtown office space, fibre optic coverage, and certified data centre sites
124. Western offers tech-focused programs such as Media Theory and Production and Computer Science
125. Fanshawe College offers a Digital and Performance Arts program and new to 2015, a Video Game Design and Development Program
126. ZTR Control Systems has added 50 employees within the past year and was recently named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies
127. Within the past twelve months, ZTR has deployed over 100,000 pieces of equipment worldwide
128. More than 10 million consumers interact with Autodata’s digital solutions every month as they consider vehicle options
129. With 500 people in offices across North America and Europe, London, Ontario is Autodata’s headquarters, housing over 330 of those employees
130. 90% of the largest fleet companies in North America use Autodata content
131. 17,000 dealerships count on Autodata to help them sell new and used vehicles
132. Big Viking Games has created over 100 games in 130 countries by approximately 40 million fans
133. With 5 million users worldwide, Digital Extremes is finding success with Warframe, its first free-to-play game
134. Built in 1887 as a Michigan Central Railroad steam locomotive repair shop, The London Roundhouse is home to two major tech companies, Ellipsis Digital and Engine SevenFour
135. Big Blue Bubble, a game development company in London, has experienced a 309% increase in revenue from 2011-2014 and ranked 30th on the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 list
136. Diply.com, a content-generation site sharing about news, fashion, food and more, has over 100 million unique visitors a month and over 25 million social media followers

Made in London, Ontario
137. Harring Doors in London provides the White House, Western University, Harvard and Yale with stile and rail wood doors
138. Bosco and Roxy's, a high-end bakery for your pets, supplies stores like Pet Valu and over 1,000 Bed Bath & beyond locations with hand-decorated treats
139. In 2010, Ireland-born and London resident Emma Donoghue captivated readers around the world with her award-winning novel, Room. In 2016 she received an Academy Award for her adapted screenplay
140. Dr. Oetker’s first North American facility produces over 77,000 frozen pizzas a day right here in London
141. IO Industries of London makes high-tech cameras that have filmed the International Space Station, the 2014 Sochi Olympics and the discovery of the Titanic
142. Since 1984, elite athletes have been rowing Hudson shells made by Hudson Boat Works and have scooped up 84 World and Olympic medals on the way
143. McCormick Canada recently invested over $3.5 million in product development and expansions
144. An impressive 200,000 Drumsticks are produced every day at the London Nestle plant, made with Canadian milk
145. In 2014, London opened its doors to Canadian Solar Inc. manufacturing facility, which is working to produce approximately 400 solar panels a day
146. Started as an entrepreneurial venture in 1976, Trojan Technologies has seven global businesses in 14 countries. Trojan provides sustainable clean water treatment solutions that impact millions of lives around the world
147. From Swedish furniture at Ikea to Tim Horton’s dark roast coffee and McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets, London has proven to be the ideal test market for new products and services prior to nationwide launch

Professional Services
148. London Life Insurance Company has been a part of London’s economic landscape for over 100 years. The company offers a portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions to more than 12 million people across Canada
149. TD Canada Trust recently celebrated 150 years of service in London and is the largest private sector employer in the city, with over 3,500 people
150. As the third largest credit union in Ontario and the 12th largest in Canada, Libro Credit Union supports more than 10,000 small to medium sized businesses and entrepreneurs

Hanwha L&C Canada Inc. is receiving a $15-million investment that will allow the company to double its production capacity and integrate robotics in a unique advanced manufacturing process that is a first in Canada.